On
most international flights you are allowed two pieces of
checked luggage, 20kg total weight plus one 5kg carry-on
bag. If you pack light using a small backpack and small
gym bag, you can carry them both on the plane with you and
put them in the overhead storage compartments and under
the seats. The size of these bags must comply with
airplane company's size and weight restrictions.
Carry-on
bag size is 23x38x53 cm and weight is 5kg per/bag
which varies with different airlines, so check with your
airline before you fly.

The benefits are:
1) You have everything with you if you need something from your
bags during the flight.
2) Upon landing you do not have to find the carousel and wait for your luggage.
3) Your bags are easily carried because of their light-weight (10kg-22lbs
total).
You can now save
the price of a taxi by taking a local city bus.
(The price difference can be 3 to 6 pesos instead of 50 to
100 pesos or more).
4) It is a lot easier to transfer planes if required, because
you do not have to check and un-check
your luggage.

DIRECT FLIGHT

Try
to book a direct flight from Canada to Mexico

The benefits are:1) You avoid US customs delays and inconvenience. If your plane
lands at any US airport you
must clear US customs. This involves disembarking
the plane, picking up all your luggage at
the carrousel and packing them all
through the airport, waiting at customs line-ups, then
re-checking your luggage
and re-boarding the new plane (or the one you just got off). You
would
have to do this again on the return flight.
2) Faster arrival times: Since there are fewer landings and
takeoffs, no plane transfers, airport
waits, your total flight time is reduced.
(more relaxing). Direct flights usually cost more but
are well worth it!
3) Try to get an early morning flight. You will arrive in your
gateway city earlier, allowing more
time for hotel check-in or to find a hotel, and
possibly see your first Mexican sunset.
(Costalegre is already 2 hours ahead of British
Columbia time).

WAITING AFTER CHECK-IN

On international flights you are required to check-in two
hours before departure.

During this
time you often get hungry or thirsty. Bring
a drink and snacks to the airport so you do not have to pay the exorbitant
airport restaurant prices.

AIRLINE TICKET BARGAINS

You
can save money on your airline tickets

1)
By booking several months in advance with a regular
scheduled airline.
Most have discounts for advance pre-purchased tickets.
2) By waiting for a seat sale with a charter
airline. When the flight day approaches charter
airlines will sell off remaining seats
just to fill the plane, often at 50% or greater savings.The
disadvantages of this are:
a) A seat sale may never come up, or
all the seats sell before you have a chance to buy one
forcing you to
miss your holiday or pay a higher fare with another
airline.
b) You cannot plan the dates or
destination of your trip, so you can't pre-book hotels.
c) Travel agents are reluctant to help
you look for seat sales, so you're on you own.

OTHER TIPS

Don't
stay seated for the entire flight; try to walk around at least
every half hour.
Limit your alcohol and caffeine beverage intake.
Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
Change you cloths to shorts & sandals before landing to be cooler
when arriving.
Clear your ears by swallowing or chewing gum when
taking off and landing.